Liposuction is intended to remove fat below the skin in problematic areas of the body. In general, women tend to store fat in the lower abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and occasionally arms. Men, on the other hand, store fat in the abdomen and flank area. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure and should not be viewed as such. However, removing fat from these problematic areas can dramatically improve one's shape and appearance.

Liposuction has noticeably improved in recent years with the advent of the tumescent technique where a numbing solution containing adrenaline is injected before liposuction, which limits pain and bruising. After liposuction, one must wear conforming garments to avoid lumpiness or contour irregularities. Properly done liposuction will address discrete problematic areas of the body to yield a smooth, natural result. After liposuction, patients should work to maintain the result with diet and exercise.